BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh will be
developed as prominent tourist destination in the country. Chief Minister
Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed that international festival should be held
to give identity to Madhya Pradesh in the sphere of tourism.

An international convention centre
will be constructed at Bhopal. Promotion of Simhastha will be undertaken in the
countries inhabited by NRIs. The Chief Minister reviewed preparations for 3-day
inaugural function of Tourism Year to be held at Bhopal next month.

The Chief Minister reviewed various
programmes to be held during Tourism Year. He said that International Festival
should be held every year on prescribed dates. Distinguished guests from all
over India should be invited to it. Cooperation of Culture and Tourism
departments should be sought in holding the event. Events during Madhya Pradesh
Foundation Day function on November 1 should be focused on tourism.

The Chief Minister directed that
night safari should be started at Van Vihar, Bhopal. Such a programme should be
held at famous tourist place Sanchi at international level so that maximum
number of Buddhists from all over the world could participate in it. He said
that Tourism Department should publicise Narmada Parikrama by chalking out tour
packages. Different tour packages should be chalked out under it. Tourism
facilities should be developed on Indira Sagar’s islands.

It was informed that during Tourism
Year, various programmes will be held in major cities and tourist places in the
state. The inaugural function will be marked by attractive cultural programmes,
seminars, food festival of major delicacies of state’s different regions and
many other programmes. During the festival, film on Simhastha will be screened
and a photo exhibition put up. A coffee table-book is being prepared by Tourism
Development Corporation focusing on tourism in Madhya Pradesh. A national quiz
competition will also be held. The same day, social media campaign on tourism
will be launched. A lecture series on state’s history will be held. Apart from
giving away state-level tourism awards on Madhya Pradesh Tourism Day on May 24,
various other programmes will also be held. Yoga Utsav will be held at
Pachmarhi. Road shows will be held during Tourism Year in country’s major
cities including Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.